Game of Thrones 7×05 – Eastwatch

After last week’s stunner, Eastwatch isn’t the most explosive of episodes, but it does effectively set the table for the season’s final stretch.

Dany’s transformation into full-on dictator is finally complete. The scene in which she threatens the Lannister forces and then proceeds to execute Sam’s father and brother by dragonfire is insanely ruthless and shocking. What’s even more intriguing is that she preaches as if she’s different than Cersei, when it’s quite evident she’s not. I’m eager to see how her new dynamic with Jon Snow will get affected after he discovers she barbecued his best friend’s family.

It’s unfortunate that there’s so much tension now between Arya and Sansa. I guess it makes sense since the two were never close, but it feels like an odd writing decision after keeping them apart for so long. On the bright side, the show needs to inject some drama into the Winterfell subplot and anything’s better than Littlefinger hogging up more screen-time. However, it’s unfortunate that Arya doesn’t realize that Littlefinger is stalking her as well, and that he led her to find the infamous note that Sansa wrote to Robb under duress from Cersei. I really hope that snake doesn’t succeed in turning the two Stark sisters against one another.

I do have one issue with the gang’s master plan of bringing Cersei an undead solider: it’s just plain idiotic. Nothing about it makes sense, but it at least manages to bring together so many previously disconnected characters. The final scene alone unites Jon, Gendry, Thoros, Beric, Tormund and Jorah. That’s a heck of a lot of subplots and individual journeys getting united with one singular focus.

Bits & Beheadings

– Jaime was saved a tad too easily wasn’t he? I really don’t like it when cliffhangers are resolved within ten seconds of an episode. It feels cheap and unearned.

– The shot of Drogon towering above all the Lannister forces is just so majestic.

– I wonder if the show’s creators had any idea how much of a meme Bend the Knee would become? That line has completely taken over pop culture in the past month!

– It’s so satisfying to hear Jaime finally tell Cersei that Olenna killed her son. The payoff on this show is always incredible.

– The CGI with Jon meeting Drogon is probably the best it’s ever been. Just notice the details on the creature’s scales, not to mention the fiery eyes. Absolutely jawdropping. Also, this meme perfectly encapsulates what I felt about the meeting.

– Jon still won’t tell Dany about him dying. I guess the time will come.

– How great is it to see Jorah reunite with Dany again? Obviously he’s still friendzoned although I thought she was going in for a kiss at one point (alas, it was just a hug).

– Chilling scene with Brann warging and seeing the enormous White Walker army… that is until the Night’s King stops him in his tracks with a single menacing look.

– All of Sam’s scenes with the maesters make me cringe. But I guess they’re necessary for exposition. It’s interesting how they have yet to tell him about his father and brother. Pretty cruel.

– The scene between Varys and Tyrion made me realize that these two have gotten very little screen-time this season. What a pity.

– Jon finally learns that Arya and Bran are alive. Hell yeah!

– Yet another reunion this week: Jaime and Tyrion. I love that Bronn helps Tyrion meet with Jaime. But what I love even more is Tyrion finally opening up about being the way he is and how much his father hated him. Dinklage’s performance is terrific here as you feel he’s on the verge of sobbing.

– Eastwatch is also notable for bringing back Gendry, whom we haven’t seen since the season three finale!

– Hilarious how quickly Gendry drops everything and runs off with Davos. Even funnier is how he introduces himself to Jon Snow after Davos tells him to hide his identity. Their dynamic is already really fun considering their dead dads were buddies and all. The cherry on top is that Jon’s dad isn’t even Ned Stark but Rheagar Targaryen, who was killed by Robert Baratheon. Ouch.

– The scene on the beach with the guards goes on for a tad too long, but it’s still amusing to see Davos try and trick them culminating with Gendry making short work of them with his badass hammer.

– The first time I’ve ever seen romantic sparks between Jon and Dany was when she was bidding him goodbye on the beach. Might Jorah be a bit jealous?

– Cersei is pregnant! The refreshing part here is that she doesn’t plan on hiding the fact that Jaime is the father.

– Gilly casually mentions that Rheagar Targaryen (Dany’s brother and Jon’s father) got married in a secret ceremony. That means that Jon is the rightful Targaryen heir. Uh oh… watch out Dany.

– Tormund is hilarious. He confirms that Davos is a “liability” and asks about the “big woman”. Ha! I miss Brienne.

– Lots of reunions at Castle Black: Jorah and Thoros, Gendry and Beric, Jon and The Hound etc… It’s all so confusing and amusing.

– Pretty blood-pumping final shot with the gang all walking out to the other side of the wall. Next week can’t come soon enough.

Kings & Quips

Bronn: The fuck were you doing back there?
Jaime: Ending the war. Killing her.
Bronn: You saw the dragon between you and her? Listen to me, cunt. Till I get what I’m owed, a dragon doesn’t get to kill you, you don’t get to kill you, only I get to kill you.
Jaime: That was only one of them. She has two more. If she decides to use them, to really use them –
Bronn: You’re fucked.
Jaime: Don’t you mean we’re fucked?
Bronn: No, I do not. Dragons are where our partnership ends. I’m not gonna be around when those things start spitting fire on King’s Landing.
Jaime: I have to tell Cersei.
Bronn: May as well jump back in that river.

Dany: They’re beautiful, aren’t they?
Jon: It wasn’t the word I was thinking of, but but, yes, they are. Gorgeous beasts.
Dany: They’re not beasts to me. No matter how big they get or how terrifying to everyone else, they’re my children.
Jon: You weren’t gone long.
Dany: No.
Jon: And?
Dany: And I have fewer enemies today than I did yesterday.

Tyrion: She gave Tarly a choice, a man who had taken up arms against her. What else could she do?
Varys: Not burn him alive alongside his son.

Tyrion: Last time I was here, I killed my father with a crossbow.
Davos: Last time I was here, you killed my son with wildfire.

Tyrion: He was going to execute me. He knew I was innocent. He didn’t hate me because of anything I did, he hated me because of what I am. A little monster sent to punish him. Did he– did he think– did he think I wanted to be born this way? – Did he think I chose it?

Cersei: She has the numbers. If we want to beat her, we have to be clever. We have to fight her like Father would have. Dead men, dragons, and Dragon Queens Whatever stands in our way, we will defeat it. For ourselves, for our house, for this.
Jaime: Who will you say is the father?
Cersei: You.
Jaime: People won’t like that.
Cersei: Do you remember what Father used to say about people?
Jaime: The lion does not concern himself with the opinions of the sheep.
Cersei: Never betray me again.

Jon: I saw your father once at Winterfell.
Gendry: I met yours in my shop.
Jon: You’re a lot leaner.
Gendry: And you’re a lot shorter.

Tormund: How many queens are there now?
Jon: Two.
Tormund: And you need to convince the one with the dragons or the one who fucks her brother?

Jon: He’s right. We’re all on the same side.
Gendry: How can we be?
Jon: We’re all breathing.

ConclusionNot the most gamechanging hour but still an intriguing enough episode.